Tooth brush and flossing aid combination

ABSTRACT

The device submitted for patent consideration, represents a combination of a tooth brush head, on one end of the device, and a flossing device, presented on the opposite end of it. It will accept any type of floss currently on the market. The floss is easy to place, easily replaceable without any extraordinary dexterity. Has been clinically tested, ergonomically designed, and it is a cost effective solution.

BACKGROUND

My background in dental field extends over a period of 15 years, working as a dentist and being faced daily by wide variety of dental needs. Brushing and flossing, and, the patients non compliance performing this routine and useful procedure for the health of the oral cavity, intrigued me for years and made me design a simple and useful device, combining the two basic oral heath procedures, brushing and flossing.

Why a combination? someone will ask?. It is in the human nature to perform more often both procedures, if it's presented in one simple and effortless solution.

SPECIFICATION

The present solution, represents a sophisticated ergonomic design of a toothbrush on one end (FIG. 4.a), and the flossing aid on the opposite end (FIG. 3).

Flossing is a daily routine, aimed to preserve the periodontal health (gum disease), the formation of tooth decay and bad breath.

There are certain dental hygiene devices that incorporate a fixed portion of the dental floss, designed for single use. Some of them have the ability of replacing the head that contains the floss.

The present solution, incorporates the use of the tooth brush head (FIG. 4.a) on one end of the device, and a flossing aid (FIG. 3) on the opposite end, that allows the replacement of the floss after each hygiene procedure

The ergonomic design of the present device, the slight curvature of the neck of the brush head, and the curvature of the opposite end that holds the floss, has been clinically tested and conforms with the average arch of the maxillary (upper)) teeth and the (lower) mandibular teeth

Further more; the curvature of the flossing end has been designed and clinically tested, to allow the operator to reach the most difficult area in the oral, cavity without any exceptional dexterity, and effort, making flossing a very desirable procedure to be perform.

Further more, the fork area of the device (FIG. 3), and the opening between the arms (FIG. 3.g and 3.f), has optimum size, taking in consideration the average size and position of the teeth in the oral cavity, providing this way a comfortable fit and feel during the hygiene procedure (flossing).

It is a known fact that the floss is not reusable, and should be discarded after each use, therefore the present device, provides a fast and simple way of replacing it

The operator chooses the length of floss and with a simple motion, can insert it in the slot present on the button from the left arm (FIG. 3.b), then will rotate the floss around the button and inserts it the opposite direction into the same slot, than takes the floss over the slot present on the tip of the left arm (FIG. 3.e), takes it across the opening of the fork (FIG. 3.c), into the slot (FIG. 3.d) present on the opposite arm (FIG. 3.f) of the fork into the slot present on the button (FIG. 3.a) on the side of the arm, will rotate the floss and lock it into position.

This way the floss will stay under tension'and will not slide nor loose tension during the flossing procedure

The present device, will accept any type of floss currently on the market, round, flat, waxed or unwaxed. The silicon type insert (FIG. 4.h) provides better grip, feel, and ergonomics

The present device provides an agronomical, simple to use and economical solution.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 Side view representation of the device, making evident the slot (FIG. 1 a, FIG. 4 f, 4 g, FIG. 3 e, 3 e) located at the tip of the flossing device, and the slotted button (FIG. 1 b, FIG. 4 e, 4 d, FIG. 3 a, 3 b) that serves as retention mechanism for the floss.

FIG. 2 General top view of the device

FIG. 3 The flossing device, front view, making evident the “U” shaped conical arms (FIG. 3 f, 3 g, FIG. 4 c, 4 b), the two slotted buttons(FIG. 3 b, 3 f, FIG. 1 b, FIG. 4 e, 4 d), the two slots at the tip of the arms (FIG. 3 e, 3 d, FIG. 4 f, 4 g, FIG. 1 a) and the position of the floss (FIG. 3 c)

FIG. 4 3D view of the device, making evident the tooth brush head (FIG. 4 a), the silicon insert (FIG. 4 h), the flossing device components, the arms (FIG. 4 c, 4 b, FIG. 3 f, 3 g,) the slotted retention buttons (FIG. 4 e, 4 d, FIG. 3 a, 3 b, FIG. 1 b), and the holding slots at the tip of the arms (FIG. 4 f, 4 g, FIG. 3 e, 3 d, FIG. 1 a).

Original image. 3D representation of the device

Description of Placing and Removing the Floss in the Device

Operator will choose the desired length of loss, and with a simple motion will place it into the slot present in the retention button (FIG. 3 a) on one side, rotates the floss around the retention button, than place it again true the slot in the retention button, than takes the floss into the slot present at the tip (FIG. 3 d) of the arm (FIG. 3 f), than continuously over the opening of the arms (FIG. 3 c), into the slot on the tip (FIG. 3 e) of the opposing arm (FIG. 3 e), down to the retention button (FIG. 3 b), true the slot present on the button, rotates the floss around the retention button and back into the slot on the retentive button. 

1. An ergonomically designed oral hygiene device, comprising a tooth brush (FIG. 4 a) on one end, and a flossing device (FIG. 3) on the opposite end. The flossing device has two curved, round in cross section and tapered arms (FIG. 3 g and 3 f), and the floss is anchored to it by the presence of two slotted buttons (FIG. 3 a and 3 b) on the side of each arm (FIG. 3 g, 3 f).
 2. The flossing device (FIG. 3), at the opposite end of the tooth brush head, is characterized in that it has four engagement points. Two, one each, present at the tip of each arm (FIG. 3 g, 3 f) in the form of a slot (FIG. 1 a), and two, one each, on the side of each arm, in the form of slotted buttons (FIG. 3 a, 3 b).
 4. The slotted buttons (FIGS. 3 a and 3 b) will provide retention to the floss (FIG. 3 c), preventing it from sliding around the engagement points (FIG. 3 a, 3 b, 3 e, 3 d), and will allow easy replacement after flossing procedure completed, or if the floss brakes during the procedure
 5. The locking procedure of the floss into the slotted buttons (FIG. 3 a. 3 b) it is simple and the floss (FIG. 3 c) is not permanently fastened to retentive buttons (FIG. 3 a, 3 b), therefore allowing for easy replacement as needed.
 6. The dental floss (FIG. 3 c) is replaceable after each use, without the necessity of replacing the entire flossing device (FIG. 3)
 7. The flossing device (FIG. 3), will accept any form or shape of floss existing on the market (round, flat, waxed, unwaxed), and the design favors the use of the flat floss, being the most popular, and efficient on the market.
 8. The present oral hygiene device is ergonomically in design, and its specs follow strictly the average anatomy of the oral cavity, shape, size and position of the teeth in the dental arch.
 9. Extremely easy to use, very hygienic and financially economical Prototype has been constructed, revised, clinically tested for ergonomics, function and comfort. 